Brownsville TX vs Fort Wayne IN — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Brownsville, TX
Texas · Population: 188,023
- Median HH Income$48,675
- Median Home Price$196,920
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+22.3%
Fort Wayne, IN
Indiana · Population: 266,235
- Median HH Income$60,293
- Median Home Price$245,993
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Fort Wayne
35.0
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Fort Wayne
9.0%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Fort Wayne +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 266,235 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 35.0 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 9.0% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 66.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 0.3% | 14.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 5.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 10.5% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Wayne +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Fort Wayne +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $60,293 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $32,884 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,697 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 15.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 28.5% | Fort Wayne + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $245,993 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 62.2% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 370 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1719 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Fort Wayne +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Fort Wayne +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Fort Wayne
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Fort Wayne
15.8%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 40.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 13.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 18.4% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 10.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.7% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 15.8% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 50.5°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 38.3 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Brownsville +
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Fort Wayne
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Brownsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 22.8 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Wayne leads in median household income at $60,293, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Fort Wayne is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Brownsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Wayne scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.7%.
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